Help to grow: a government funded course for businesses

Help to Grow: Management

The government-funded course for businesses

Some businesses will qualify for fully-funded places on the programme at De Montfort University’s Leicester Castle Business School

WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

Businesses in Leicester are benefitting from a government-funded management course that enhances and develops their potential to grow.

If you’re a business owner or leader who’s consistently seeking new opportunities to learn and take your career or company to the next level, then by now you may have heard of the Help to Grow programme, which was launched last year by the government in partnership with Small Business Charter.

Help to Grow: Management is supporting senior managers of small and medium sized businesses to boost their performance, resilience, and long-term growth.

The 12-week programme is 90% funded by the government, meaning businesses will only pay £750.

There are around 70 universities and business schools in the UK that were specially selected to offer this course, and our very own De Montfort University is one of them.

DMU has been accredited by the Small Business Charter, an award which recognises the high quality, tailored guidance that the university provides to support small businesses and the local economy.

What’s in it for your business?

The programme, which takes around 50 hours in total, will be delivered by professors at Leicester Castle Business School and is designed to fit alongside work commitments. Leaders will develop a bespoke business growth plan to help their business reach their full potential, receive one to one support form a business mentor, and be surrounded by a network of business people just like themselves.

Other key areas that the programme includes are strategy and innovation, building a brand, financial management, employee engagement, internationalisation, digital adoption, and marketing strategy.

During your course, students will have exclusive access to their peer network, a forum to share experiences and learn first-hand from real-world challenges that they may also face as their business grows. The course will help develop leadership and management skills that will enhance employee wellbeing and engagement in the process as well as the ability to recognise what drives productivity and growth. It

By the end, students will have developed a tailored Growth Action Plan to help lead and develop their business

also aims to teach students to develop strategies for market segmentation, operational efficiency, responsible business practices, how to innovate, and how to adopt or invest in new technologies.

By the end, students will have developed a tailored Growth Action Plan to help lead and develop their business. And afterwards, they’ll retain access to expert advice through the Help to Grow: Management Alumni Network. This includes access to events, masterclasses and practical seminars, alongside other ongoing opportunities to engage with and learn from other likeminded businesses.

Who can apply?

The government funds the majority of the cost as part of a £220m package to support small business recovery and growth. Of course, there are some eligibility requirements.

To join the programme, your business must be based in Leicester, employ between five and 249 people, and have been operational for at least one year. Applicants from your business must be senior decision makers and commit to completing the whole course.

Thanks to East Midlands Chamber, DMU is also able to offer fully-funded places on the course to organisations impacted by the coronavirus pandemic that have been operational for at least a year and employ between five and 249 people. You do not need to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce to apply. However, you must be based in Leicester city.

The next start date for Help to Grow: Management at Leicester Castle Business School is September 29. Apply online at dmu.ac.uk or go to gov.uk/helptogrow and search for Leicester Castle Business School.

LEADERS WILL BENEFIT FROM:

◆ Leadership training ◆ Employee engagement training ◆ Financial management training ◆ Marketing and brand development ◆ Learning how to compete internationally ◆ Support from a business mentor ◆ Peer-learning sessions ◆ Access to an alumni network ◆ Help to develop a business growth plan

Eligibility requirements

The course is for business owners, leaders, or senior managers from all business sectors. To be eligible, you and your business must meet the following criteria: Your business must: ◆ Be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) based in the United Kingdom ◆ Employ between 5 and 249 people ◆ Have been operational for at least one year ◆ Not be a charity You must: ◆ Be a chief executive, owner/founder, or member of the senior management team ◆ Have at least one direct report ◆ Commit to completing all sessions

Businesses with 10+ employees can now send register another person onto the course. Before, only one employee could participate in the programme.